Killing Mary Sue

"Killing Mary Sue" was such a fun journey from beginning to end. The story keeps unfolding in unexpected ways, constantly surprising you. There are some surreal moments that really elevate the dark comedy and make it even funnier and more exciting. It's sharp, well-written, well-directed, and the performances really sell it. Definitely worth watching-I recommend it!

Had so much fun watching this film that was filled with surprising, clever, and laugh out loud moments all throughout. Creative, original, funny, dark and truly entertaining alongside excellent performances by the cast. I went in to the movie knowing nothing about it and surely didn't expect the wild ride that ensued. In a world where movies are increasingly re-makes or derivatives of other ideas it was so refreshing to watch something that was so novel in both its inception and execution. I look forward to watching again to catch many of the nuances that I most assuredly missed the first time around.

I had the opportunity to see the movie at the Big Apple Film Festival in a completely packed theatre in May. The film received an incredible reaction from the crowd, myself included. It was fun and funny - the film seemingly does not take itself seriously one bit but then sneaks up on you with an unexpected sentimentality. Lead actress Sierra McCormick gives a 10/10 performance. I also loved the soundtrack, including music from band Can't Tell You, which suits the plot and the opening scene exceedingly well for those who take the time to listen to the music and lyrics. I'm super excited to watch again now that it's available to stream!

Writer, director, Editor James Sunshine has a carnival in his head and he's put it all into this fantastic movie. Centering around an unwitting yet apt female hero, this movie will make you laugh out loud and make you cover your eyes from the horror, all in the same 10 seconds. This movie is very well cast with the likes of Martin Cove, Dermot Mulrooney, and Katie Killiacky, supporting-the breakout performance of actress Sierra McCormick as Mary Sue. This film won best picture at the Los Angeles independent film festival just last month, and I predict we'll be seeing big things from this director in the future. Very well done!

James Sunshine's "Killing Mary Sue" attempts a satirical deconstruction of a well-worn trope but ultimately becomes the very thing it seeks to parody. The film, which follows a group of writers who try to kill off their all-powerful, flawless main character, suffers from a severe lack of narrative focus, meandering between meta-commentary and a generic action plot without truly committing to either. The result is a lukewarm and ultimately unmemorable cinematic experience that delivers neither genuine laughs nor compelling thrills.

The supposed "clever" interactions between the characters feel forced and contrived, lacking the genuine spark necessary to engage the audience. The dialogue, often laden with clichéd pronouncements about storytelling and character arcs, feels painfully artificial, as if the writers simply strung together a series of pop culture references without any regard for natural conversation. The film's self-awareness feels less like wit and more like a crutch, failing to mask its underdeveloped plot and thin characters.

Is it worth watching? No. It's a film that promises a clever critique but delivers a clumsy and uninspired caricature.